A/HRC/44/28
development, and that lasting progress towards the implementation of the right to
development requires effective development policies at the national level, as well as
equitable economic relations and a favourable economic environment at the international
level (part I, para. 10). Furthermore, it recognized that all human rights are universal,
indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and that the international community must treat
human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing, and with the same
emphasis (part I, para. 5). The same principles also underpin the mandate of the Human
Rights Council (General Assembly resolution 60/251 and Council resolution 5/1).
III. Policy frameworks and new and emerging opportunities
As humanity faces the immediate threat from coronavirus disease (COVID-19),
“more than ever before, we need solidarity, hope and the political will and cooperation to
see this crisis through together”. 1 This crisis reinforces the importance of international
cooperation.
International cooperation is key to realizing peace, human rights and sustainable
development. Rapid and far-reaching developments in transport, information and
communication technologies, exchange of information, ideas, goods and services and mass
migrations, as well as growing inequalities, have posed new opportunities and challenges
for the realization of human rights. Global economic and environmental crises, including
profound threats from climate change, transformative changes in global demographics, and
the rise of nationalism and populism, which undermine democratic ideals and human rights
values, call for collective and holistic global responses.
While States bear the primary responsibility for promoting sustainable development,
the structures, processes and outcomes in an interdependent, globalized world are deeply
affected by international policies and developments beyond their borders. The Declaration
on the Right to Development affirms the duties of States to cooperate in order to advance
development and to strengthen human rights and fundamental freedoms. States also have
the duty to take steps, individually and collectively, to formulate international development
policies with a view to facilitating the full realization of the right to development (art. 4
(1)), and thus all human rights. Notably, States must take sustained action for more rapid
development of developing countries. Effective international cooperation is essential to
provide them with appropriate means and facilities to foster their comprehensive
development (art. 4 (2)).
In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the General Assembly called for a
revitalized global partnership for sustainable development, emphasizing the critical
importance of international cooperation for realizing the 2030 Agenda, including the
Sustainable Development Goals. The Agenda includes universal goals and targets which
involve the entire world, developed and developing countries alike. Accordingly, it is to be
implemented in a non-selective way and in a manner consistent with the rights and
obligations of States under international law.
In the 2030 Agenda, the General Assembly further committed to leave no one
behind and to endeavour to reach the furthest behind first. This commitment is underpinned
by Sustainable Development Goal 17, which is to strengthen the means of implementation
and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. Effective implementation
of Goal 17 will serve to advance the realization of human rights, including the right to
development (A/HRC/42/29, paras. 29–68). It will further help to redress inequalities
within countries and asymmetries among them in line with Goal 10 (A/HRC/39/18, paras.
53–56). Goal 17 can be fully implemented only through increased political commitment,
new innovative resource mobilization strategies and a strong commitment to international
cooperation (A/HRC/41/21, para. 84). As highlighted by the Secretary-General’s response
1
United Nations, “Shared responsibility, global solidarity: responding to the socioeconomic impacts of
COVID-19”, March 2020, p. 2. Available at www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sg_report_socioeconomic_impact_of_covid19.pdf.
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